Dutch regulator warns prospective operators to adopt 'responsible gambling DNA'
René Jansen believes a “critical gaze” will focus in on the Dutch online gaming market when it regulates
Operators looking to enter the Dutch egaming market must have responsible gambling “in their DNA”, the head of the Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has warned.
In a speech at an International Masters of Gaming Law event on Friday, KSA chair René Jansen claimed responsible gambling was the “real spirit and key message” of the country’s remote gambling act.
“’Responsible gambling’ must not be merely a PR slogan for operators; it ought to be part of the corporate DNA of all gambling and betting operators, both online and land-based,” Jansen said.
Jansen claimed that as many as one million Dutch citizens are already gambling online, despite the practice still being illegal, something which the KSA has committed to cracking down on ahead of the launch of the new regulated market in July 2021.
He reaffirmed the importance of maintaining a channelisation rate of 80% towards licensed operators, as provided for under the remote gambling act. Jansen cited KSA research which highlighted that Dutch consumers prefer to play through legal operators.
“This will give licence holders a certain natural advantage over their illegal competitors. But, of course, there are limits to this advantage. The legal offering must be sufficiently attractive.
“So, the consumer demand is there, and it’s not going away. Our view is that, even if you don’t approve of gambling, either land-based or online, it’s a fact of life and it’s easier to control it through a well-regulated market,” Jansen said.
However, Jansen did not provide any further detail on whether the so-called cooling off period for previously sanctioned operators would be extended, asserting that meetings with Minister of Justice and Security Sander Dekker had not taken place.
Warning operators not to take the forthcoming licensing process lightly, Janssen claimed the “critical gaze” of the Dutch public would be focused on both operators and the KSA alike. In this environment, Jansen asserted that operators should go beyond merely complying with regulations.
“Legislators in our country should not be forced to take action to put in place additional measures or measures to restore the status quo,” Jansen said.
In December the Dutch government voted on 10 amendments to the remote gambling act, rejecting proposals to bring the treatment of gambling advertising in line with tobacco advertising.
Source: iStock/funky-data